Windsor benefits from tourists on American cruise ship

CBC News

Pearl Mist makes five stops in the city carrying 210 passangers

Windsor is becoming a docking hot spot for cruise liners such as the Pearl Mist that's bringing hundreds of American tourist to the city.

When the Great Lakes luxury cruise ship stops in the city passengers disembark to take tours of Windsor and Essex County.

There are 210 passengers, along with 70 crew members on every ship. They all have the option of touring the Canadian Club Brewery, Walkerville and the county.

"The waterfront is so beautiful," said Edie Hilliard, who was visiting from Seattle.

"We left the ship and walked down to the casino...and lost a few bucks and then we came back," he said. "My friend went back to the ship and I walked to the sculpture park, you have so many amazing war memorials, it's just exciting to see. It's really beautiful," he continued.

The 12-day journey begins in Toronto, travels through all five Great Lakes, and ends in Chicago.

The liner stops in Windsor for about half a day.

"When we think of Canada, we think of ice and snow because you're the far North to us from South Texas, you know," said Walk McGinnis, who's also took the cruise ship tour. "But of course, it's a modern metropolis and I'm much impressed."

Pearl Seas Cruises, a Connecticut-based company, said there's a huge demand for Great Lakes cruises.

"As we plan our itineraries, we look for ports of calls that have rich historical value for our guests, as well as quaintness and beauty," said Paul Taiclet, the company's vice president of operations.

The CEO of Tourism Windsor-Essex Pelee Island, Gordon Orr, said more tourists coming through the area means more money for the region.

"We're very happy that they chose obviously to stay on our side of the border," said Orr. "That bodes well for us, extra revenue obviously for us for all the docking fees and at the same time, better exposure to all of their passengers."

The Pearl Mist will stop in Windsor two more times this summer, with the next cruise ship docking in the city on Saturday.